The JPS Labs: Abyss AB-1266 Impressions Thread

[Roasty]

in my lineup, the 1266 TC Phi is the headphone I've owned the longest. purchased in 2019 and giving me so much enjoyment since then. this thing is built like a tank! still looks almost brand new..

it hasn't been a completely smooth journey. encountered the sleepy driver issue first, then had the usual rubber band snapping, and then paid the extra for the new headband (that allowed for changing out of the rubber bands). after 6 years of ownership, I knew this day was coming.. the wear and tear on the ear pads..

before seeing this, I already had the new standard fit pads on order.. just awaiting delivery to the local dealer. Will give those a go before deciding if I wanna order another set of the classic fit pads to replace the old ones.

 

[Adnan Firoze]

This may be the strangest question asked in here

I do almost exclusively all my HP listening in bed as my HP amp is in there. My surround HT is in the front room where I do all the non-HP listening(Even if I wanted to there is zero room for my HP amp in the front room. I live in a very small apartment and space is limited.

Since I listen nearly exclusively in my bed to HP it looks like my bed(laying down) days would be over when I get the AB-1266 Phi TC Lite (I've heard if you even bend over they will slide off). I have Sennheiser HD800 and I can lie down well enough, but it is a task to accomplish. I've even almost fallen asleep lying down with the HD800.

Since I have only seen pics/videos of AB-1266 Phi TC Lite I am only able to imagine what I would need to do here to be able to accomplish this(not at all likely).

Huge neck pillow?

Maybe partially sit up with pillows under my shoulders and back? Like in a hospital bed? My bed does not adjust tho.

There is no room in my bedroom for a lounge chair either. I just have enough room to walk in and get in and out of my dresser.I can almost touch my dresser from my bed. The room is small.

So any ideas on how to even partially lounge and listen in bed are appreciated.I must have overlooked something

Another question is how well(if at all) the SP3000T( 6.3 VRMS output) will drive the AB-1266 Phi TC Lite. I do not trust AI results(they are wrong many times), but AI said this

Yes, a 6.3 VRMS output from a headphone amplifier can typically drive the Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC Lite. The AB-1266 Phi TC Lite has a sensitivity of 98.4dB SPL for 1V input at 1kHz. This means that even with a relatively low input voltage, the headphones will produce a sufficient sound level. The headphones also come with a 1/4" (6.3mm) adapter, further indicating that they are designed to be used with a standard headphone output. "

It sounds by those calculations that the SP3000T will drive that abyss (Headphone calculator sites vary in quality and confusing results.I would trust answers in here more so.)

If the results are good enough I will be able to sit in my front room lazy boy with the SP3000T and enjoy the AB-1266 Phi TC Lite.

Cheers

PMd you the "strangest answer" to your "strangest question" with a picture of mine .

As for the SP3000T -- though I have not tried with that DAP, sorry but it just won't be any good. My Fiio Q7 (which is around 14 VRMS at the 1266's load with it's balanced 3W) is decent (nothing like desktop gear -- that too on the stronger side), but none of my DAPs.

Good luck! You'll love the 1266 TC -- it's like no other headphones. Also, the sound is so much fun that I doubt you will even want to lie down. But I have dozed off with the 1266 on - so it can be done. haha. Regardless, solution in your inbox.

 

[Rozeqloud]

PMd you the "strangest answer" to your "strangest question" with a picture of mine .

As for the SP3000T -- though I have not tried with that DAP, sorry but it just won't be any good. My Fiio Q7 (which is around 14 VRMS at the 1266's load with it's balanced 3W) is decent (nothing like desktop gear -- that too on the stronger side), but none of my DAPs.

Good luck! You'll love the 1266 TC -- it's like no other headphones. Also, the sound is so much fun that I doubt you will even want to lie down. But I have dozed off with the 1266 on - so it can be done. haha. Regardless, solution in your inbox.

Cheers mate much respect and appreciation

No biggie if SP3000T cant power them tho since it seems I can lay down and listen to them

I read they sit way loose on the head and you need to sit straight up to maintain the proper seal/position

Cheers

 

[kajetanjazz]

I read they sit way loose on the head and you need to sit straight up to maintain the proper seal/position

Yeah you can’t quite do that. Even if you make them sit tight. The weight itself pulls it down on your ears and that’s not comfortable, and as you know positioning affects sound. Maybe the new thick standard pads solve that, I doubt tho

You definitely don’t need to sit straight up - recliner chairs work superbly. Just not full 180° horizontal position. Otherwise I don’t think twice about the comfort before laying down in the recliner with them

 

[Rozeqloud]

Thought I'd share a couple more random thoughts on the the 1266 as I continue to explore my recently upgraded Phi version:

• Inexpensive ($8), not-too-looking-DIY solution for the problem of headstrap not low enough to place your ears at the optimal position: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YIJGS6E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Adhesive cushion which fits nicely to the bottom of the leather headband
  
  
• Heavy bass distortion: On some bass-heavy tracks (specifically in this case, "Hey Now" by London Grammar), I'm hearing bass rumble distort the entire rest of the band up to and including female vocals and treble. I do realize there is simple physics involved with trying to move that kind of air with a single driver, just curious if anyone else has experienced bass-induced audible distortion? I only ask because one of the huge features of this headphone is the deep and clean bass, of which I'm a huge fan. On this particular track, however, it doesn't take a lot of goosing on the volume dial to hear it. Wondered others' experience?

Please excuse me as this is a real old post you made,but I need to ask you "Was that padding a good solution or a bad solution?" Did it work well?

I am daft and did not quite understand

Cheers

 

[kajetanjazz]

Has anyone tried HAA Thrax Resolute? I wasn’t aware it was actually voiced with 1266 itself. It spiked a lot of interest when it came out, but seems to be a sleeper

A portable power amp to be used with DAPs. There’s one in classifieds, don’t think I have a use case nevertheless still intrigued

 

[Rozeqloud]

Great find, put it on my shopping list at Amazon



I found that to be the best for bass as well with my Phi, tight, clean, and as powerful as the recording captures it.

So that pad was a good purchase , mate?

 

[Adnan Firoze]

Cheers mate much respect and appreciation

No biggie if SP3000T cant power them tho since it seems I can lay down and listen to them

I read they sit way loose on the head and you need to sit straight up to maintain the proper seal/position

Cheers

Happy to help. Also, I don't quite agree with some who would say it will fall off for a "loose" fit. Depends if you "want to do that" - then that can be done but if you don't want it to fall off when you move around (or lie/recline), it won't. This video shows a good demonstration by Joe.

 

[jlbrach]

I have switched the position of the new pads for the 1266 to 3/ instead of 11/1 and wow...I am shocked how incredibly good it sounds ..I liked it at 11/1 but 3/9 opened it up...bigger...more impact and bass...marvelous...the funny thing is when I used the older pads I always was at 11/1 and never much cared for 3/9..to me it is like a new HP and I know that sounds crazy

 

[mitchb]

I like 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock. I prefer it to 3/9 with the new pads.

 

[Adnan Firoze]

I like 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock. I prefer it to 3/9 with the new pads.

Sorry for the dumb question but when people write 3/9 is the notation right/left or left/right?

 

[mitchb]

3 is left and 9 is right.

 

[krude]

I have switched the position of the new pads for the 1266 to 3/ instead of 11/1 and wow...I am shocked how incredibly good it sounds ..I liked it at 11/1 but 3/9 opened it up...bigger...more impact and bass...marvelous...the funny thing is when I used the older pads I always was at 11/1 and never much cared for 3/9..to me it is like a new HP and I know that sounds crazy

3/9 with a small gap in front?

I have it like that (detailed impressions for music genres a few posts above), and it makes the TC into a darker and more midcentric experience while keeping it's technical traits. I also like it a lot, bass kick (not sub kick) is very adicting especially for drums. Also cymbals are less splashy. For me it feels like it pushes TC towards Solitaire P tuning.

 

[tholt]

I have switched the position of the new pads for the 1266 to 3/ instead of 11/1 and wow...I am shocked how incredibly good it sounds ..I liked it at 11/1 but 3/9 opened it up...bigger...more impact and bass...marvelous...the funny thing is when I used the older pads I always was at 11/1 and never much cared for 3/9..to me it is like a new HP and I know that sounds crazy

IIRC 3/9 is how I had it after experimentation and it was the best pad orientation for me as well. Even with older pads

3/9 with a small gap in front?... For me it feels like it pushes TC towards Solitaire P tuning.

I never had the pads directly on ear, always a bit of a gap. Definitely sounded best that way. That's interesting re: Sol P

 

[maii]

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask for your advice. Do you think 6.8 watts at 32 ohms is enough to properly drive the Abyss 1266 headphones? I recently used the LP EA4, which is rated at 6.8 watts at 32 ohms. I compared it to my other amp, the XI Broadway, which is rated at 1.5 watts at 32 ohms. I found that the EA4 provided more detail, a more realistic sound, and a more effortless performance.

I am considering purchasing the Violectric V281, which has an output of 2.8 watts at 32 ohms. I'm not sure if current or voltage is more important in this context.

I’m new to the Abyss 1266 but really enjoy the sound it produces.

Has anyone here experienced the EA4 compared to other desktop amps? If so, could you share your thoughts and recommendations? Thank you in advance!